WHEREAS, Pauline Allen Mitchell, esteemed communications director for Chesterfield County, tireless community activist, and beloved member of the Powhatan community, died on September 24, 2020; and

WHEREAS, after attending Virginia Intermont College, where she was president of the Student Government Association, Pauline Mitchell later completed her degree in mass communications at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) while raising six young children, launching an illustrious career in communications and public relations; and

WHEREAS, various organizations benefited from Pauline Mitchell's talents and vision over the years, including WCVE-TV, the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Lucy Corr, Ashton Mitchell and Associates, Mary Baldwin College, and Chesterfield County, which she served both as director of news and information and as director of special projects; and

WHEREAS, Pauline Mitchell invested great time and energy toward the betterment of her community; as a charter member of the Henricus Foundation, which she served variously as secretary, treasurer, vice chair, and chair over the years, her concept and execution were instrumental to the establishment of Henricus Historical Park in Chesterfield County; and

WHEREAS, Pauline Mitchell's volunteer service graced many other local organizations and nonprofits, including the Mid-Lothian Mines & Rail Roads Foundation, the James River Task Force, Virginia Civil War Trails, the Greater Richmond Tourism Association, and the Powhatan Civil War Round Table; and

WHEREAS, past president of both the Westwood Junior Women's Club and the Tri Club Women's Club, Pauline Mitchell was also a charter member of both the Salisbury Country Club and the Federal Hill Club in the Counties of Chesterfield and Powhatan, respectively; and

WHEREAS, Pauline Mitchell's remarkable career accomplishments earned her a bevy of awards and accolades, including honors from Virginia Press Women and the National Federation of Press Women and an induction into the VCU Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture's Virginia Communications Hall of Fame in 1998; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout her life by her faith, Pauline Mitchell enjoyed worship and fellowship with her community at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Powhatan for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by her loving husband, Ashton, Jr., and her sons Ashton III and Timothy, Pauline Mitchell will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her children, Paul, Mary, Susan, and Anne, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Pauline Allen Mitchell, an accomplished communications director and leader who always acted with grace and aplomb, touching countless lives in the community and especially those she mentored; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Pauline Allen Mitchell as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for her memory.